In a post-apocalyptic, poisoned Earth where human survivors have formed animal-named tribes, a young Rabbit named Amri is swept into the schemes of a fallen "god"—a returning tech billionaire—seeking revenge against his former peers who aim to reshape the world. Blending sci-fi and myth, the story explores themes of survival, hubris, and the clash between ordinary people and arrogant elites who believe themselves above the consequences of their actions.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a post-apocalyptic, poisoned Earth, the story follows Amri, a member of the Rabbit tribe, whose people survive by running from danger. After her home is destroyed by a weapon falling from the sky, Amri becomes the companion and priestess to Guy Vesten, a self-proclaimed fallen god. The 'gods' are actually former tech billionaires and scientists who left Earth for a space utopia generations ago, now returning with conflicting visions to remake the planet. The world is divided into animal-named tribes—Seagulls, Pigeons, Cockroaches, Rats, and Rabbits—each with their own survival strategies. As the gods wage war over the future of Earth, Amri is drawn into their conflict, navigating alliances and betrayals while the remnants of humanity struggle to adapt to the new order imposed by these powerful returnees.

Readers praised the book's worldbuilding, noting how much detail and atmosphere was conveyed in a short novella format. The blend of science fiction and fantasy elements, such as advanced technology being perceived as magic, was frequently highlighted. Many found the social commentary on privilege, hubris, and the arrogance of the elite to be thought-provoking, especially the depiction of tech billionaires as gods indifferent to the people left behind. The pacing, dark humor, and the evolution of Amri from a frightened survivor to a more empowered figure were also appreciated. The audiobook narration by Emma Newman received consistent positive feedback for enhancing the story's mood and character depth.

Some readers found the novella's characters, particularly Amri, lacking in depth, making it difficult to connect emotionally. There was confusion among several reviewers about the nature of the animal tribes—whether their differences were philosophical, physical, or otherwise—and about how certain technologies still functioned in a primitive world. A number of readers felt the plot was predictable or too similar to Tchaikovsky's previous works, with some describing the story as rushed or the ending as flat. A few considered the novella less ambitious or sophisticated compared to the author's longer novels, and some felt the themes were not explored as deeply as possible.

The book is part of Tchaikovsky's ongoing series of novellas, with some readers noting connections to his other works and recurring themes of humanity, technology, and survival. The novella has been described as accessible for newcomers to the author, especially for those daunted by his longer books. The story has been used as a springboard for discussions about environmental collapse, societal adaptation, and the consequences of unchecked innovation. The majority of reviews were based on advance audio copies, and the book is scheduled for publication in August 2025.